• Responsible Travel guidelines

• There are many different interpretations of this seemingly simple phrase. We do not intend to preach any one meaning here but only to raise some questions that you can ask before and during your trip. The answers that you come up with should help you decide the right course of action for you.

  These guidelines areis not meant to be exhaustive; only an indication of the bigger issues facing you. The more you read before travelling the better you should be able to feel when you return.

  
  

  Before you even set out ...

  How do I look?

  Your dress says a lot about you - at any time and in any place. When travelling it is important to consider whether your clothes are appropriate, and not just by your usual criteria. Sure - you probably won't be wearing your regular day-to-day clothes but ones you have bought especially; ones that are light, crumple proof and, above all, comfortable - but you also need to consider how the locals will view your attire.

  In many countries the local culture may not find your choice acceptable. T-shirts have become acceptable in many places where they were not known a few years back but short trousers have yet to break down the same barriers. That applies equally to men and women, though the results may be considerably different. A man wearing shorts may not get the same respect as one 'properly attired'; a lady wearing shorts may well be giving the wrong impression and attract unwelcome attention.

  It is not just the length of your clothing that matters. As a foreigner who can afford air fares, hotels and the rest it will be presumed that you are rich, even if you don't feel so. You may be more comfortable wearing grungy clothes but this may appear contradictory. In certain circumstances, such clothes may also be seen as an insult to your hosts or to the community generally.

  Of course you can't wear clothes you didn't bring so it is worth considering this issue well before you pack.

  
  

  and then ...

  Where does the money go?

  It's not all about money, but a significant part of the contribution you make to the communities you visit will be in the form of money you spend. It is therefore worth considering this issue, or at least asking your own service provider what their policy is.

  It may not always be obvious where the profit from your activity or purchase ends up. You can at least consider spreading your money around various suppliers in the hope that this will at least hedge your bets.

  N.B. Your non-monetary contributions may be in the form of gifts or even the memories that you leave behind. It helps to plan ahead:

  • What gifts will you take?
  • What will be your policy on taking addresses to stay in touch after you get back home?

  Where did that come from?

  Every tangible product that you purchase on your journey will have come from somewhere. If you have an idea where then you may have a better answer to the question above.

  Think also as to whether that supply is natural and sustainable; it is not only the supply of animal products that is likely to lead to shortages in the future. Such shortages will affect the locals, not you.

  In most cases the people making the product and all those along the supply chain will benefit from your purchase so do not worry needlessly. The division of spoils may not seem fair to you but ... is it your role to change such things?

  Is that allowed here?

  In a foreign country you have to abide by different laws, different rules and different social norms. You can only do this if you make the effort to find out what these are. If in doubt, ask a local.

  Following the local laws is not so much a choice as an obligation. You may not like or agree with some laws but that does not matter. Few travellers do find themselves on the wrong side of local laws but those who do may find themselves in a difficult situation. Local consular staff can do less than most travellers think to help (read your own government's website - many of which are linked from our Links page - and see) and even if you do only get deported that is something that gets recorded in your passport and may cause problems with future visa applications.

  Breaking local rules or social norms may not get you into trouble with the local authorities but may still cause offence to the locals; the same locals you have travelled a long way to come and visit. That should be good enough reason to do the right thing.

  Guidelines

  Remember that there is no one set of 'Responsible Travel' rules. A bit of research will almost certainly raise a number of contradictory recommendations. Your decisions are the important ones as you must feel comfortable with your travel style and any impact that this entails. So long as you have considered the issues, and make your decisions for sound reasons, you are being responsible.

  Specific Issues

  The following issues are covered in more detail on their own pages:

  • Responsible Travel in a temple or mosque
  • Responsible shopping
  • Responsible photography
  
  
  
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